Page 32 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

“It’s nice to see that smart-ass runs in the family,” Beau rumbled.

“I knew it was something more than just the fact that his mom died,” I whispered into his muscles. “I … my therapist didn’t believe me, but…”

“You know your son,” Beau said, wrapping his arms around me.

“Yeah, well…” I unfolded my arms and circled them around Beau’s waist. Pressing my forehead to his shoulder, I cursed. “Thepainting. I left it by the barn.”

“No, I grabbed it.” Beau tightened his grip on me. “Wasn’t sure if I should bring it in, but it’s in the back of the ute.”

“Maybe … you can hold it for me for now?”

“Sure.”

Something about his thoughtfulness made me emotional all over again.

“Sorry for crying on your shirt,” I said, not able to stop the tears.

“That’s okay, it’s a moisture-wicking blend,” Beau said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I chuckled and let out a long, long breath. “Where the fuck do I start?”

“You say that as though you haven’t already begun,” Beau said, far too kindly. “I’ve been trained in this kind of thing, and I don’t think I could’ve handled it any better. You did such a good job of listening to him, and then not letting the blame stand where it didn’t belong.”

“Are you sure about that? Because I’m feeling pretty worthless as a dad right now.”

It was Beau’s turn to chuckle. “Which is weird because I was just thinking that, even with my degree, I was absolutely useless.”

I pulled back, looking up into his eyes. “No, you weren’t. You kept us anchored. You werebrilliant.”

Beau’s eyes sparkled at the compliment. My immediate thought was that he said he didn’t have a boyfriend yesterday. He was so lovely and kind that it was a shame some lucky guy wasn’t being loved on by him.

He was strong, too. Like, so strong that I felt weirdly safe in his arms.

Man, my brain was all over the place.

“Besides, you’re the youth activities coordinator,” I continued, gesturing to myself. “Not the guy responsible for whatever this is.”

I was such a mess.

“I’m here for whatever this is, too.” He winked. “I don’t discriminate against the elderly.”

I smacked his shoulder with the back of my hand.Ouch.

“I was just about to tell you off for calling me old, but that really fucking hurt.” I grabbed my hand. “Forty-three, and I’m falling apart.”

“I’m only thirty-six, and you should have seen me out there with those kids today. I couldnotkeep up.”

“Is that how my son ended up with a neck full of hickeys?” I asked, nudging him.

“They snuck off!” Beau flushed bright red. “And they’re of age—what was I supposed to do? Drag them out of the woods by their ears?”

“Aw, man,” I said, laughing to myself. “They actually made out in the woods?”

“Yep.”

“Like father, like son, I guess.”

Beau’s eyes widened.